5 Action Tips for Building Strong Adaptive Behaviors


by Steve Brunkhorst - Date: 2006-12-03 - Word Count: 478 Share This!

Adaptive people are able to organize their thoughts in ways that generate appropriate and positive actions. Adaptive behaviors are age-dependent skills that allow us to engage successfully in activities of daily living throughout our lives. We can also think of adaptive behaviors as skills that allow us to be flexible when change occurs in our personal lives or careers.

If we are adaptive, we will react to unexpected events or unconstructive actions in creative or constructive ways. An adaptive individual is able to refocus the mind in new directions and make choices based on his or her desired outcomes. He or she is open to change, knowing it is the set of the sail that matters--not the direction of the wind.

Consider these five action-tips on dealing constructively with changing circumstances in daily living...

1. Stop and think to avoid misinterpretations.

Give yourself time to analyze situations thoroughly. View actions and circumstances from different angles and perspectives to gain an accurate understanding of what has happened. If people are involved, communicate your concerns and ask questions to get information that might not be apparent. This will allow you to make informed choices.

2. Think long-term.

Ask yourself "What if?" questions. Think about the consequences of dealing with a situation in various ways. Ask, "What will I lose?" and "What will I gain?" "How could this choice affect my family, friends, self, and future well being?"

3. Prepare for change with continuous learning.

Change is a constant in everyone's life. The skills needed to meet various needs will change throughout all stages of life--from childhood to old age. We will continue to need updated knowledge in such areas as self-care, relationships, parenting, and financial.

4. Look beneath the surface.

Welcome challenges. Every challenging situation brings the chance to grow wiser and more skillful. Somewhere, someone has successfully dealt with the same situation. Even circumstances that seem most devastating carry within them the seed of a new blessing. Those who search for these blessings will eventually find them.

5. Stay clear on your values and needs.

Values are the principles that guide your actions. What are ten of your most core values (e.g., peace, creativity, learning, family, adventure)? Look also at your needs: those things that must be met in ways that remain true to your values. Values are constants while needs will at least temporarily vanish if they are met. Ask yourself, "Is my reaction to this situation an attempt to meet a personal need in a healthy manner, or is it a creative solution to some other problem?" Then ask, "Is my choice of action in keeping with my core values?"

Thinking conscientiously about these suggestions has helped many of my clients to make positive choices in situations requiring adaptive change and problem solving. They can also help you. May every new challenge leave you wiser, more skillful, and more loving today and in the years ahead.

To your greatest Success,

Steve Brunkhorst


Related Tags: values, challenges, needs, adaptive people, adaptive behavior, adaptive behaviors, adaptive change, achiev

© Copyright 2006 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Get the next issue by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com

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